Meet Alfie, the 4-year-old, 55 pound dog who was the recent subject of SWESR’s “Guess the DNA Profile” game. His genetic results are in and Alfie is 60% herding dog, almost 20% hound dog, with the rest a mix of breeds you’d expect from a state which lacks significant spay/neuter support for the public. What this means for us is that Alfie is a 100% SWESR good boy, and he’s ready for his forever home. He currently lives in Texas, but he’s willing to relocate for the right parents!

Alfie graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. He was originally adopted from an Austin, TX shelter as a puppy and found himself back in the same shelter as a stray four years later. Severely malnourished, he had either been on his own for a long time or someone had deliberately starved him. As a result, Alfie is highly food motivated and displays a unique “Alfie dance” every mealtime by twirling and prancing with his front legs. 

Alfie is a true brainiac, very intelligent and highly trainable. He’s the ultimate people pleaser, wanting nothing more than to make his humans happy. Alfie initially had clear signs of being physically disciplined in his past, being sensitive to raised voices and cautious in new situations. But now he climbs on the couch for snuggles after watching the other dogs in his foster home enjoy something he was reprimanded for in his previous life. As with any smart and energetic dog, Alfie does well with structure, redirection, and consistency. Continued gentle and loving training will be needed so he can learn the rules of his new household. He responds to “no”, “here”, “hush”, and “Alfie”.

This boy will need significant daily exercise and mental stimulation. A securely fenced yard is a must so he can run and play. Alfie adores other dogs and would thrive in a home with a well-matched canine companion who could tolerate his persistence for playing, but Alfie would also do well as an only dog if his people are home most of the day and have an active lifestyle that includes him. 

Opportunities to meet and play with other dogs should be a part of Alfie’s routine. He proactively encourages other dogs to play with him, but he learns quickly if they don’t want to engage. He will herd other dogs, as one would expect with a dog that is more than 50% herding breed. 

Alfie enjoys his walks and does okay on leash. He doesn’t have a strong escape drive, preferring to be where his person is, but vigilance should always be used around an open door or gate. 

Alfie is truly joyful. He is social and eager to connect with humans and other dogs. He’s respectful around cats and is easily redirected. He loves to give kisses and can be mouthy with his affections, so children 12+ are recommended. He is house trained, crate trained, vaccinated, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

His intake veterinarian summed up Alfie perfectly: “This dog is going to give someone a lifetime of smiles.”

Please share this FFtF post on your social media pages, as someone out there needs to smile the rest of their life with an intelligent, extroverted, and loving dog like Alfie. Let’s team together and get this boy adopted!

SWESR rescues dogs in the Southwestern U.S.. We adopt dogs to homes throughout the U.S.. We have volunteer transport along major driving routes in the Southwest. Outside of the Southwest, adopters usually fly or drive to the foster home and then drive home.

“As always with FFtF posts, we thank you for sharing this post on your social media to cast as wide a net as possible for potential families for our FFtF dogs.”